"Just be okay with exposing yourself to challenges. It's okay to be afraid, it's okay to feel scared — but this is the only way we can grow and achieve more than expected."
- Dr Manfredi Miraula
🔍 In this episode:
We talk with Dr. Manfredi Miraula, a PhD chemist turned freelance AI engineer, about navigating career pivots, balancing generalism with depth, and building anti-fragility in a high-speed data-driven world.
👤 About the Guest
Dr Manfredi Miraula began his career with a PhD in chemistry, but his path quickly turned toward data. Over the years, he transitioned from data analyst to data scientist, to data engineer, and now works as a senior freelance AI engineer, blending technical delivery with business alignment and product sense.
He proudly embraces his role as a "jack of all trades," someone who integrates across silos and thrives in complexity.
🛠️ Career Themes Explored
T-Shaped Growth in AI Careers
Manfredi introduces the idea of the T-shaped professional — someone with breadth across tools and contexts, and depth in chosen areas (e.g., generative AI). While hyper-specialists might command higher pay for niche skills like Databricks, generalists often gain broader career mobility and richer roles across startups and enterprises.
“Being a generalist keeps things interesting. There’s always a new angle to explore.”
Freelancing, Ownership & Identity
Manfredi’s decision to freelance wasn’t just financial — it was about owning his time, brand, and professional choices. While the early stages required strong networks (his first clients came naturally), he shares that freelancing demands constant ambiguity management, strong financial planning, and often longer working hours than full-time jobs.
Yet the reward is autonomy:
“I feel the results of my work are directly tied to my own name.”
Soft Skills as Superpowers
Communication, especially in the data world, is not optional. Manfredi stresses that translating technical insight into business understanding is what builds trust, influence, and momentum in AI teams.
He also reflects on stakeholder management, owning mistakes, and first principles thinking — habits he honed at Stripe and carried into startup life, where direct client interaction requires advanced interpersonal skills.
Career Mobility & Knowing When to Move
One of the boldest points Manfredi makes:
“If after 1.5 to 2 years you're not growing or compensated fairly — leave.”
He argues that stagnation is the real risk. Staying in the wrong role too long can permanently limit your earnings and personal growth.
Anti-fragility: Thriving Under Pressure
Inspired by Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s Antifragile, Manfredi promotes the idea that we shouldn’t just survive adversity — we should intentionally grow through it. Whether it's tight deadlines or difficult people, each challenge is a training ground for long-term strength.
Work-Life Blend & Redefining FIRE
Though still interested in financial independence, Manfredi’s view has matured. He sees total early retirement as limiting and perhaps selfish — instead, he focuses on building a life where he can say “no” to projects that don’t align with his values, while investing in people-first businesses that won’t be automated away.
✨ Key Takeaways
Own Your Career Growth: Don’t wait for permission — proactively learn, upskill, and pivot when needed. It’s your responsibility.
Embrace Anti-fragility: Growth happens through discomfort, not in its absence. Seek challenges that make you stronger.
Make Strategic Career Moves: Don’t settle. If growth stalls, explore new roles to stay competitive and motivated.
Level Up Your Soft Skills: Communication, self-awareness, and trust-building are critical in data-heavy roles.
Define Your T-Shape: Know whether you thrive as a generalist or specialist, and plan your path intentionally.
🧵 Reflection Prompt for you
Where in your career could you intentionally take on pressure or ambiguity to build anti-fragility, and what would that stretch make possible for your future?
Tell us your biggest takeaway—what meta‑skill are you doubling down on this year?
📚 Suggested Resources
On Anti-fragility & Career Philosophy:
Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
On Professional Identity:
Articles on the T-shaped professional
Content on career portfolio thinking & personal branding
On Communication in Tech:
Courses on stakeholder management
Talks on translating data into business decisions
On Financial Independence:
Balanced critiques of the FIRE Movement
Tools for budgeting as a freelancer
Thank you for joining the inaugural episode of the TABA Podcast, where we delve into the meta-layer of impactful DSAI careers.
If this resonated with you, consider sharing it, subscribing, or leaving a comment. Your support helps us grow the conversation.
Until next time, keep thinking beyond the algorithm.
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About The Art of Beyond Algorithms (TABA)
The Art of Beyond Algorithms (TABA) is a podcast and platform dedicated to exploring the invisible skills that drive meaningful, long-term success in Data Science and AI careers. Beyond tools, code, and technical mastery, TABA dives into the meta-layer of professional growth — from decision-making and self-leadership to communication, adaptability, and identity shifts.
Through weekly live interviews with DSAI professionals, TABA podcast shares the real stories, mindset changes, and cross-disciplinary insights that shape impactful careers, offering listeners not just knowledge but also perspective.
About the host
Dr. Alireza Dehghani is an award-winning AI technologist, strategist, and the creator of two career-focused podcasts — Ordmen (in Persian) and The Art of Beyond Algorithms (TABA).
With over 15 years of experience across industry and research, he has led AI initiatives at startups, large enterprises, and national innovation centres. Passionate about the intersection of technical excellence and human insight, Alireza brings a unique perspective to career development in Data Science & AI — focusing not just on what professionals do, but on how they think, grow, and lead beyond the algorithm.
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